BOOK REVIEW — Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

“Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman” — This book title immediately caught my attention.

The title of the book is quite unique and I was curious to know read the story. I felt a series of emotion while I was reading about the journey of our unusual protagonist — Eleanor Oliphant.

Eleanor Oliphant has a usual, boring and monotonous life. She, works as a financial clerk at a company for years and yet never fits in. Her weekday routine is around office/home and her weekend menu is frozen pizza, vodka and phone chats with her mom. She is an anti-social person.

And then one fine day, she met Raymond, a co-worker IT guy, and things starts changing in her life. Although she was not really a fan of Raymond when she first met him, but gradually they became friends. Eleanor finally had someone to have lunch with, share her secrets and rely on.

And at this point of the book, I thought this was like any other love story. BUT NO.

NO, THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY.

The author, Gail Honeyman, have very carefully unfolded this story. Eleanor’s unusual life and behavior was because of a past traumatic event. She was in deep pain and was depressed. Even the phone calls with her mom make her feel timid.

Eleanor and Raymond helped an elderly person, named Sam. They kinda saved his life. And this act of kindness was all that was required. They begin to unleash from their individual isolated lives and bond together in a heartwarming friendship.

Eleanor was too depressed and scared to open her eyes. She couldn’t trust anyone and let anyone in. But it was Raymond’s kindness that helped Eleanor mend her heart and face her past.

The book is amazing. Its quite detailed. Gail Honeyman, took her time to build the character and the story around them — the first half of the story is only about that (was a little slow). But, second half of the book is were things gets interesting and I was not able to put it down after that.

I would recommend everyone to read this book. Gail Honeyman, thank you for such this book.

Loneliness and depression is like a disease. All it takes is to extend your hand, and give a pull.

I got this book at the perfect time and situation. I bought this book in the beginning of lockdown. There was already too much negativity and on top of it, we got a series of bad news. There were some people(some famous names), we lost to depression. The whole world was shaken. People started to come out and help each other.

I hope there is a Raymond for all Eleanor.